‘After extending Jochen Hecht’s contract a few weeks ago, Darcy Regier might have to reconsider another one of his rules: never make a shakeup trade. While the NHL Trade Deadline is still months away, an early-season trade shouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for the the team’s general manager.’

'It has also put the onus on the new top line of Derek Roy, Tomas Vanek and Maxim Afinogenov. "They were basically our third line last year, and with three top lines you couldn't defend us," goaltender Ryan Miller said. "Now they're our top line and teams want to defend them. They've got to figure out how to score, and once they do, it'll put less pressure on our other lines."'

‘It is apparent that no one on the Sabres roster is willing to step up and be the lead guy, someone who will take responsibility of the captainship. Everyone is standing in the back, waiting for the other guy to step forward.’